Members may have noticed the monstrous alien outgrowths around two of the magnificent copper beech trees on the Haverstock Hill pavement just north of the tube station – outside ‘Optique 2020’ and ‘Gourmet Burger Kitchen’ where the fungus has extended towards the restaurant.
Googling this identified the fungus fruiting bodies as Meripilus giganteus. Beech trees are particularly prone and this can cause significant weakness to the tree roots, creating a risk of trees falling.
It was duly reported to Camden by committee member Alan Selwyn and they have confirmed that these two trees will sadly have to be felled for public safety in the next few weeks.
This will, of course leave a gap in our leafy landscape but Camden say they will plant new trees soon.
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